Obstetrical instrument.



W. A; HILL.

OBSTETRIOAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION IILED AUG. 26, 1913.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

19 WAHiu flbto'wmg Q/vi/Weoow comma PLANOOIAPM cn.. WASHINGTON, D. o.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. HILL, OF COYLE, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO REUEL J'. GEPHART, OF COYLE, OKLAHOMA.

OBSTETRICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

Application filed August 26, 1913. Serial No. 786,727.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. HILL, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Ooyle, Logan county, State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Obstetrical Instruments; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invention relates to surgery, and more especially to obstetrical instruments for veterinary purposes; and the object of the same is to produce an instrument which may be used either as a speculum or as a pair of forceps for removing a pig, lamb, pup, or other small animal from the mother.

This object is accomplished by constructing the device as set forth in the following specification, and as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view with the parts in one position; Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in another position; Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section with the parts in the same position as in Fig. 2; and Fi 4 is a detail showing a modified form of the ends of the handles.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate handles of metal and of appropriate size, crossing each other and pivoted together where they cross, their front ends or arms 3 and 4 diverging slightly forward of the pivot and their eX- treme front ends 5 and 6 being bent downward out of the plane of the arms and bowed outward and then inward and reduced at their tips 7 and 8 as shown. When the rear ends of the handles are pressed toward each other the tips are also forced inward and finally pressed together so that the curved front ends 5 and 6 form a loop, and the size of the instrument is such that this loop is adapted to inclose the nose, snout, or muzzle of the fetus. Just in rear of said pivot a set screw 9 passes inward through one handle toward the other, and by adjusting this set screw inward the degree to which the handles can be forced inward is limited and therefore the size of said loop regulated to fit the fetus. This set screw prevents the operator fro-m grasping the nose too tightly, so as to injure the fetus.

The pivot is a bolt 10 having a small nut 11 on its lower end and a head 12 at its upper end forked as shown and provided across the fork with a pin 13.

The numeral 14 designates a third handle, flattened at its forward end as at 15, provided in its upper edge with two notches 16 and in its lower edge with three notches 17, all of a size to loosely engage said pin; and continued forward and downward beyond said notched portion into an arm 18 which is also preferably flattened as shown, then bends upward and is reduced in size into a rounded tip 19, and terminates at its forward end in a ball 20. Obviously the parts could all be made on a larger scale so that the tool could be employed on a larger animal; or the reverse. The metal used is not important, nor the finish.

The use of this device is as follows, reference being bad to the drawings: When the instrument is to serve as a speculum the third member is inverted and the parts assembled as shown in Fig. 1. First the handles 1 and 2 are pressed together and the tips 7 and 8 (then in contact) are gently inserted, then the ball 20 is passed over the fork and downward between the arms 3 and 4; and the third member moved gently inward until one of the notches 16 engages the pin 13, and then the three handles are moved to separate the tips 7 and 8 laterally from each other and at the same time to lift the ball 20 from its position between them, and the operator can inspect conditions wit-h which he has to deal, and ascertain which presentation has taken place. Lifting the notch 16 off the pin, he then withdraws the third member and reverses it to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and reinserts it in the same manner until one of the notches 17 engages the pin. The intermediate notch will generally be employed for a head presentation, and one of the other notches for a rear presentation, but this may be left to the user and, in fact, there could be several notches in each edge of this member although usually two or three will answer as shown. Also his inspection will enable him to adjust the set screw as necessary.

For a head presentation the front ends or jaws 5 and 6 may be pressed inward into a loop to inclose and grasp the nose or snout, after which the ball 20 may be raised into the cavity between the bones of the lower hips and the tip 19 of the third member will be passed between the rear legs of the fetus and. then raised, and with a gentle pull as above the operation is completed.

In Fig. 4 I have shown how the rear ends of the handles 1 and 2 may be flattened and transversely dished on their inner sides as at 1 and 2 for about two inches from their extremities. This detail may be adopted to produce in effect a pair of forceps or balling gun for holding a veterinary capsule, so that the user may thrust it down a hogs .throat, or it might be used on horses,

cows, etc.

VJ hat is claimed as new is- 1. An instrument of the class described comprising a pair of crossed handles whose forward ends have gripping jaws, a pivot through the handles Where they cross, the

upper end of the pivot being forked, a transverse pin connecting the fork-arms, and a third member having a handle at 1ts rear end and an arm at its forward end bent downward and then upward and terminating in a ball, the body of said member being flattened to enter said fork and provided in its edge with a series of notches in any of which it is adapted to rock over said upper end of said pivot and rocking there over, said member having a handle at its rear end and a curved arm at its front end,

and a set screw through one of the firstnamed handles toward the other, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the 19th day of August, A. D. 1913.

' WILLIAM A. I-nLn WVitnesses:

J. H. IIMGH JNQVV. ECKMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. C. i 

